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Brussels sprouts - Aonanī

A member of the brassica family, Brussels sprouts look like tiny cabbages.

Brussels sprouts are named after the city of Brussels in Belgium where they are thought to have originated.

There are two main Brussels sprouts growing areas in New Zealand.

The first is Ohakune, in the Central North Island. It tends to produce smaller hybrid sprouts with compact heads – about 30-45 mm. These come to the market earlier in the season and have a higher mustard oil content and therefore have a slight piquancy.

The second major growing area is Oamaru in North Otago in the South Island, which tends to produce slightly larger sprouts, 50-65 mm, with looser leaves. North Otago Brussels sprouts (or NOBS) come to the market later in the season and have a sweeter flavour. To cater for the earlier market a hybrid, similar to the Ohakune Brussels sprouts, comes from North Otago.

 

What to look for

Choose Brussels sprouts that are roughly the same size. Avoid any with yellow, loose, soft or wilting leaves.

Availability

Available:
Ohakune – February to July
North Otago – May to October
High season: June to July

Store

Refrigerate in a paper bag.

How to prepare

Remove any loose leaves. Trim and slice the end, cutting a cross in it, to improve equal degree of cooking.

Ways to eat

Serve Brussels sprouts boiled, microwaved or steamed. Halve or quarter and add to a stir fry or use in salads – raw, finely sliced, or lightly blanched, whole or halved. Click here for recipes.

Cooking methods

Boil, steam, microwave, stir fry.

Nutrition

Brussels sprouts are a good source of vitamin K, and a source of dietary fibre, vitamin C, thiamin, vitamin B6, and contain a dietary significant amount of potassium. They are members of the brassica family and contain phytonutrients, including glucosinolates, carotenoids and phenolic compounds.

Nutrition table

BRUSSELS SPROUTS Raw      
Nutrition Information        
Serving size: 75g     
  Average Quantity % Daily Intake Average Quantity  
per serving per serve per 100g  
Energy (kJ) 175                    2                     233                  
Protein (g) 2.8                     6                     3.8                   
Fat, total (g) 0.4                     1                     0.5                   
 - saturated (g) 0.08                   0                     0.11                 
Available carbohydrate (g) 5                        2                     6.6                   
 - sugars (g) 4.3                     5                     5.8                   
Dietary Fibre (g) 3.6                     12                   4.8                  Source
Sodium (mg) 6                        0                     8                      
Vitamin C (mg) 6.5 16%RDI* 8.7 A source of vitamin C
Vitamin K (µg) 32.2 40% ESADDI** 43 A good source of vitamin K
Thiamin (mg) 0.11 11% RDI* 0.15 A source of thiamin
Vitamin B6 (mg) 0.23 15% RDI* 0.31 A source of vitamin B6
Potassium (mg) 360   480 Contains potassium
Percentage Daily Intakes are based on an average adult diet of 8700 kJ 
Your daily Intakes may be higher or lower depending on your energy needs. 
 *Recommended Dietary Intake (Average Adult)
**Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake		  
Source: New Zealand Food Composition Database online accessed May 2024

 

Retailing

Display on refrigerated shelving as cool temperatures retard yellowing. Buy small quantities regularly to guarantee freshness. Trim ends. Offer pre-packed bags. Use QR code on labels.

Store at 0°C and 90-100% relative humidity. Brussels sprouts are ethylene sensitive so store separately from ethylene producing vegetables and fruits wherever possible.

Purchase Brussels sprouts with the New Zealand GAP logo.